Page 99 of Unspoken Confessions
Jameson studied me for a long moment then nodded.
I waited for my father to enter the living room. I was breathing hard and sweating a little.
“I was surprised you let me in,” he said the moment he saw me.
“Can you just say what you want to say and leave?” I let out a long sigh because I did not want to deal with this.
“I suppose I deserve that.” He stood there looking a bit awkward. Jameson came over to my side and put his arm around me. United front. God, I loved him so much. “I didn’t know. When I…” He shook his head. “I didn’t know.”
“Well, now you do.”
He rubbed his forehead, something he did when he was stressed and unsure how to handle a situation.
“I’ve been in this industry a long time,” he said. “I guess I was groomed a certain way and I’ve kept those ideas and rules in my head. I just wanted what was best for you. I’m sorry. You’ve made me realize that a change needs to happen. And it won’t happen unless people like me start catching up with the times.”
Holy fuck! This I did not expect. Jameson pulled me into his body, holding me up and silently giving me the strength I needed.
I was speechless.
“I had this screenplay come through,” he said and my head started to pound. Was he about to suggest a part for me? Did he think there was one I really needed to play? And how did I turn him down because that wasn’t where my focus was at anymore. He handed over the thick envelope, the weight of the script inside was something I was all too familiar with. “Someone dropped it off to my assistant and it made it to my desk, which tells me that it was personally delivered by someone she knew I approved of. When I opened it, I was met with a hot pink sticky note that said, and I quote, ‘this movie needs to be made.’ So I sat down and read it.”
I blinked at him, my mind slowly catching up to what was happening.
I was pretty sure I was going to murder Jen. ‘Just need to go to LA for a break’ my ass. Lying little bitch.
I ripped the script out of the envelope just to prove I was right in my thoughts.
And sure enough, there was my script, with my real name written right there under the title and not the one I’d been putting on them. Well, real name as in Nick Sterling.
Yep, murder Jen was the only thing on my mind.
“I actually didn’t get out of my chair until I was finished because I couldn’t put it down,” my father went on. “I think I understand so much more now. And…” He took in a deep breath before continuing. “It does need to get made. For so many reasons. One, I’m fucking proud of you. That is a damn good story. I know that might not mean a lot, but it’s the truth. And two, the world needs the chance to see this in motion. People that have been through something similar need to feel like they’re not alone. And the rest of us, well, we need someone that has lived through it to explain it to us.”
“I can’t believe you read my screenplay,” I mumbled, still trying to catch up to everything.
I might cry.
I never in a million years expected this.
“So, I’m guessing you’re looking for a team.”
“Yes,” I said hesitantly. “But I want people on board that are behind the project. I want it to be something they feel passionate about.”
“I’d like to produce it. And I’ll back it all myself if I have to. I want to see this come to life. I want others to see its message and promise.”
Jameson kissed me on the temple then released me.
I didn’t want him to go, but it was clear he knew what I needed even if I didn’t want to do this on my own.
That move seemed to catch my father’s attention.
“Jerry Nicholson,” he said stepping forward and holding his hand out to Jameson. There was no hesitation or anger there. In fact, he looked a little scared that Jameson wouldn’t return the gesture.
“Jameson,” my man said, standing tall and shaking my father’s hand. “Make him cry and you’ll regret it.”
He released my father’s hand, shot me one last look that let me know he wouldn’t be going far, then walked out of the room.
My father smiled.
